BUCKLAND V COMMEY ON FOR THE COMMONWEALTH

Cardiff’s Gary ‘Dynamo’ Buckland (28-4, 9KO) is aiming to bounce back from defeat with a win over African banger Richard ‘Azonto’ Commey (17-0, 17KO) on July 12th. The vacant Commonwealth title will be on the line in the intriguing lightweight clash and it will be promoted by Steve Goodwin at London’s iconic York Hall. In February, Buckland scored the biggest win of his career, out-pointing fellow Welshman and former world champion Gavin Rees in a violent Fight of the Year contender. However, when the 27-year-old from the eastside of the capital rematched Rees in May, he was in another classic but on the other end of a Split Decision and suffered his fourth career defeat. Commey has a remarkable 100% knockout ratio but his record is flattering and lacks any opposition of note. The only names that British boxing fans will recognise on Commey’s slate are Kris Hughes and Paul Truscott but both achieved accolades in weight categories far below lightweight. However, the Ghanaian has been willing to step up in class for some time and has been mandatory for the Commonwealth title for the last nine months. The Commonwealth Boxing Council (CBC) stripped Liverpool’s Derry Mathews of the title in March. British based Commey was due to face fellow African Benjamin Ashley for the vacant title but Visa concerns stopped that contest, leaving an opening for Buckland to take the chance. Commey has never been past eight rounds, while Buckland has fought for 10 rounds or longer on 10 separate occasions. There was recent talk that Buckland would move 4lbs south, back down in weight to super-featherweight where he had previously enjoyed a Prizefighter tournament win and a British title run until last summer but those plans seem to have been shelved for now. The bout will be announced tomorrow at a press conference in Essex when the pair come head-to-head for the first time and it will be broadcast on www.BoxingEvolution.tv. Tickets are priced at £35, £60 and £100. To buy yours, visit www.GoodwinPromotions.co.uk or call 01525851150.